The Race >>
Chuckwagon rules for chuckwagon racing were drawn up by the original committee and were based on the famous Calgary Stampede in Alberta, Canada.
A chuckwagon is a regulation farm wagon weighing at least 1325 pounds with the driver in the seat. The wagon is equipped with a canvas cover and flap which extends at least 8 feet out from the rear end of the wagon with poles 6 feet long attached to form a tent. A stove is also included to make a complete chuckwagon camp.
The chuckwagon is pulled by four spirited horses which provide the driver with a superb test of skill and driving ability in unfamiliar surroundings. Each wagon has four outriders, each mounted on a swift saddle horse.
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The race takes place as four chuckwagons line up in given positions with four horses hitched in tandem fashion. The rear of the wagon is to the Grandstand, with campstoves on the ground, flaps on the back of the wagon supported by two poles. There are four outriders to each outfit - three at the back of the wagon to load the stove and poles. The fourth outrider to hold the front team until, at the sound of the gun, the camp breaks. The stove must be loaded and the tent poles put in the wagon.
It`s a race from the time the gun sounds. Only one of the outriders may ride to the position beside the lead team, but may only encourage the horses with their hats and their hands. The other outriders must stay at the rear of the wagon, within 150 feet at all times, until the race is over. Each wagon and all four outriders must turn a figure eight around two barrels set in the infield, then onto the track and around the full half mile track with all horses on the dead run. With four wagons in each race, and four horses on each wagon, plus four outriders for each outfit, makes a total of 32 horses in each chuckwagon race....... All on the dead run.
Rule Infractions and Penalties
1. Hands on stove before signal -2 seconds
2. Stove left or lost -4 seconds
3. Poles left or dragging -2 seconds
(equipment must be loaded before the wagon hits the track)
4. Wagon starting ahead of signal -2 seconds minimum
5. Wagon knocking over any barrel -5 seconds each barrel
6. Wagon missing barrel -10 seconds each barrel
7. Outrider missing barrel -2 seconds each offence
(outrider and horse must both make barrel)
8. Outrider knocking over any barrel -2 seconds each barrel
9. Interfering with other outfits -judges discretion
10. Outrider cutting the grass -5 seconds each outrider
11. Wagon cutting the grass -5 seconds
12. Outrider 150 feet or more behind finish line when
lead team crosses finish line -2 seconds
13. Outrider failing to finish race -4 seconds
14. Outrider finishing ahead of team -2 seconds
15. 2+ outriders finishing beside wagon -2 seconds / each outrider
16. Poles dragging or extending from wagon at finish line
(one or both poles is the same) -2 seconds
17. Must wear western style accesories -2 seconds
18. Fly disconnected from poles at finish line -2 seconds